The Celluloid Pantry: Whiskey & Ginger and Anna Christie (1930)

Garbo talks! And her first order of business? She orders a drink.

Although, at the age of 24, Greta Garbo was already one of MGM’s biggest stars, her voice remained a mystery to her fans. The enigmatic Swedish actress had already acted in thirteen American films, but every one of them was silent.

But cinematic history was soon to be made with Anna Christie (1930). Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Eugene O’Neill, the much-anticipated talking picture starred Garbo as a world-weary streetwalker.

Still, audiences were made to wait. It isn’t until over fifteen minutes into the film that the title character makes her grand entrance. Slinking into a seedy New York waterfront bar, she pulls up a chair. And for the very first time we hear Garbo’s distinctive, husky voice:

“Gimme a whiskey, ginger ale on the side. And don’t be stingy, baby!”

Whiskey & Ginger (a.k.a. Horse’s Neck or Hero’s Neck)
makes one highball

1 ½ oz. whiskey
ginger ale
lemon peel

Place a few ice cubes in a highball glass. Cut lemon peel into a long, spiraling strip, and drape over the side of the glass. Add whiskey, top up with ginger ale, and stir gently.

- Nora

Comments (4)

great movie. you can feel the anticipation to hear the great garbo. that drink summed it up too. thanks again.

posted by dani on 2006-03-21 17:15:25

Is it better to go with a good old standby like Vernor's or a hot and spicy Jamaican ginger ale? Thoughts? Is it the sweet or the bite that is most important?

posted by Kirsten on 2006-03-21 23:00:45

Kirsten--my understanding is that, strictly speaking, Vernor's, Canada Dry, etc. are ginger *ales*, but that the spicy Jamaican version you described is a ginger *beer*, though the terms are used interchangeably at times (US (ale)/UK (beer) terminology seems to factor in here too--anyone else?)

I think for a classic American highball, you need a classic ginger ale like Canada Dry (or Vernor's), but the spicy Jamaican version would be a nice modern twist.

posted by nora on 2006-03-22 15:57:32

Ginger ale tends to be drier than ginger beer. The latter usually has a stronger ginger flavour too.

posted by Doctor Whom on January 16th 2009 at 1:01pm
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